Generation of media station previews using a reference database

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, an example method includes (i) while a media playback device of a vehicle is playing back content received on a first channel, sending, by the media playback device to a server, a preview request, the preview request identifying a second channel that is different from the first channel; (ii) receiving, by the media playback device from the server, a response to the preview request, the response including identifying information corresponding to content being provided on the second channel; and (iii) while the media playback device is playing back the content received on the first channel, providing, by the media playback device for display, at least a portion of the identifying information corresponding to content being provided on the second channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This disclosure claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent App. No.62/788,563, filed on Jan. 4, 2019, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

USAGE AND TERMINOLOGY

In this disclosure, unless otherwise specified and/or unless theparticular context clearly dictates otherwise, the terms “a” or “an”mean at least one, and the term “the” means the at least one.

In this disclosure, the term “connection mechanism” means a mechanismthat facilitates communication between two or more components, devices,systems, or other entities. A connection mechanism can be a relativelysimple mechanism, such as a cable or system bus, or a relatively complexmechanism, such as a packet-based communication network (e.g., theInternet). In some instances, a connection mechanism can include anon-tangible medium (e.g., in the case where the connection iswireless).

In this disclosure, the term “computing system” means a system thatincludes at least one computing device. In some instances, a computingsystem can include one or more other computing systems.

BACKGROUND

Some media playback devices can display identifying information forcontent being played back on a channel while the content is being playedback. For instance, while a radio is playing a song, a user interface ofthe radio can display textual information identifying a title, artist,and album of the song.

A communications protocol referred to as Radio Data System (RDS) allowsbroadcasters to send identifying information to radios through analogradio waves. Some radio stations transmit audio and other informationusing digital technology. Transmitting audio and other information overa digital signal allows a radio station to transmit additional types ofidentifying information, such as album images and artist images. A radiothat is capable of receiving digital signals can display a receivedimage that is associated with a song while the radio plays the song.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an example method is disclosed. The method includes (i)while a media playback device of a vehicle is playing back contentreceived on a first channel, sending, by the media playback device to aserver, a preview request, the preview request identifying a secondchannel that is different from the first channel; (ii) receiving, by themedia playback device from the server, a response to the previewrequest, the response including identifying information corresponding tocontent being provided on the second channel; and (iii) while the mediaplayback device is playing back the content received on the firstchannel, providing, by the media playback device for display, at least aportion of the identifying information corresponding to content beingprovided on the second channel.

In another aspect, an example non-transitory computer-readable medium isdisclosed. The computer-readable medium has stored thereon programinstructions that upon execution by a processor, cause performance of aset of acts including (i) while a media playback device of a vehicle isplaying back content received on a first channel, sending, by the mediaplayback device to a server, a preview request, the preview requestidentifying a second channel that is different from the first channel;(ii) receiving, by the media playback device from the server, a responseto the preview request, the response including identifying informationcorresponding to content being provided on the second channel; and (iii)while the media playback device is playing back the content received onthe first channel, providing, by the media playback device for display,at least a portion of the identifying information corresponding tocontent being provided on the second channel.

In another aspect, an example computing system is disclosed. Thecomputing system is configured for performing a set of acts including(i) while a media playback device of a vehicle is playing back contentreceived on a first channel, sending, by the media playback device to aserver, a preview request, the preview request identifying a secondchannel that is different from the first channel; (ii) receiving, by themedia playback device from the server, a response to the previewrequest, the response including identifying information corresponding tocontent being provided on the second channel; and (iii) while the mediaplayback device is playing back the content received on the firstchannel, providing, by the media playback device for display, at least aportion of the identifying information corresponding to content beingprovided on the second channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example computing device.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an example media preview system.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating components of apreview server, media playback device, broadcast monitoring server,station identification system, and media identification system,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example display provided by a media playbackdevice.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview

Currently, while a media playback device of a vehicle is playing backcontent received on a first channel, it is difficult to know whatcontent is being provided on other channels that are different from thefirst channel without tuning away from the first channel. For instance,when listening to content being played back on a first channel by aradio, it is difficult to know what content is being provided on otherchannels that are different from the first channel without tuning awayfrom the first channel. Similarly, when a user is not interested incontent that a media playback device is playing back on a first channel,it is difficult for the user to find content on another channel that theuser is interested in without successively tuning in to multiplechannels. When searching for different content, the user might not knowwhat content is being provided on another channel before the user tunesin to the channel.

Disclosed herein are methods and systems to address this and potentiallyother issues. In an example method, while a media playback device of avehicle is playing back content received on a first channel, the mediaplayback device can send a preview request to a server. The previewrequest may identify a second channel that is different from the firstchannel. The media playback device can then receive from the server aresponse to the preview request. The response may include identifyinginformation corresponding to content being provided on the secondchannel. Further, while the media playback device is playing back thecontent received on the first channel, the media playback device canprovide for display at least a portion of the identifying informationcorresponding to content being provided on the second channel. In thismanner, while the media playback device is playing back content receivedon the first channel, a display can provide an indication of contentthat is being provided on the second channel, so that a user of themedia playback device can decide whether to tune away from the firstchannel and to the second channel.

While portions of this disclosure refer to media playback devices thatare located in vehicles, the examples are not meant to be limiting. Thesystems and methods disclosed herein are also applicable to mediaplayback devices that are not located in vehicles, such as portablemedia playback devices and media playback devices that are located inhomes, offices, or other buildings.

In addition, while portions of this disclosure refer to media playbackdevices that provide audio content, the examples are not meant to belimiting. The systems and methods are also applicable to media playbackdevices that provide video content.

II. Example Architecture A. Computing Device

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example computing device 100.Computing device 100 can perform various acts and/or functions, such asthose described in this disclosure. Computing device 100 can includevarious components, such as processor 102, data storage unit 104,communication interface 106, and/or user interface 108. These componentscan be connected to each other (or to another device, system, or otherentity) via connection mechanism 110.

Processor 102 can include a general-purpose processor (e.g., amicroprocessor) and/or a special-purpose processor (e.g., a digitalsignal processor (DSP)).

Data storage unit 104 can include one or more volatile, non-volatile,removable, and/or non-removable storage components, such as magnetic,optical, or flash storage, and/or can be integrated in whole or in partwith processor 102. Further, data storage unit 104 can take the form ofa non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereonprogram instructions (e.g., compiled or non-compiled program logicand/or machine code) that, when executed by processor 102, causecomputing device 100 to perform one or more acts and/or functions, suchas those described in this disclosure. As such, computing device 100 canbe configured to perform one or more acts and/or functions, such asthose described in this disclosure. Such program instructions can defineand/or be part of a discrete software application. In some instances,computing device 100 can execute program instructions in response toreceiving an input, such as from communication interface 106 and/or userinterface 108. Data storage unit 104 can also store other types of data,such as those types described in this disclosure.

Communication interface 106 can allow computing device 100 to connect toand/or communicate with another entity according to one or moreprotocols. In one example, communication interface 106 can be a wiredinterface, such as an Ethernet interface or a high-definitionserial-digital-interface (HD-SDI). In another example, communicationinterface 106 can be a wireless interface, such as a cellular or WI-FIinterface. In this disclosure, a connection can be a direct connectionor an indirect connection, the latter being a connection that passesthrough and/or traverses one or more entities, such as a router,switcher, or other network device. Likewise, in this disclosure, atransmission can be a direct transmission or an indirect transmission.

User interface 108 can facilitate interaction between computing device100 and a user of computing device 100, if applicable. As such, userinterface 108 can include input components such as a keyboard, a keypad,a mouse, a touch-sensitive panel, a microphone, and/or a camera, and/oroutput components such as a display device (which, for example, can becombined with a touch-sensitive panel), a sound speaker, and/or a hapticfeedback system. More generally, user interface 108 can include hardwareand/or software components that facilitate interaction between computingdevice 100 and the user of the computing device 100.

B. Media Preview System

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an example media preview system200. Media preview system 200 can perform various acts and/or functionsrelated to the delivery and/or presentation of identifying informationfor media content (e.g., audio content and/or video content), and can beimplemented as a computing system.

Media preview system 200 can include various components, such as avehicle 210, content source 220, preview server 230, one or morebroadcast monitoring servers 240, station identification system 250, andmedia identification system 260. Vehicle 210 can include a mediaplayback device 212. Each of media playback device 212, preview server230, broadcast monitoring server(s) 240, station identification system250, and media identification system 260 can be implemented as acomputing system.

Vehicle 210 can be a machine that transports people, such as anautomobile, motorcycle, watercraft, or aircraft, for instance. Mediaplayback device 212 of vehicle 210 can include at least one computingdevice and can take various forms. By way of example, media playbackdevice 212 can include a head unit of vehicle 210. The head unit caninclude a display and a user interface that provide a user of vehicle210 with control over media content presented by vehicle 210. AlthoughFIG. 2 depicts media playback device 212 as being located in vehicle210, in other media preview systems, a media playback device might notbe located in a vehicle. For instance, other examples of media playbackdevices include radios, televisions, smart speakers, and smart displays.

Media playback device 212 can receive audio content, video content,and/or text content from content source 220, and can receive thiscontent either directly from content source 220 or indirectly by way ofa network 270. Content source 220 can include a radio station,television station, or web server. For example, content source 220 maybe a radio station or radio network that streams or transmits audio overa channel to media playback device 212, a television (TV) station or TVnetwork that streams or transmits media over a channel to media playbackdevice 212, and/or a web service that streams or transmits media overnetwork 270 to media playback device 212.

Accordingly, media playback device 212 can include a tuner configured toreceive an input stream of media content and generate an output streamof media content by processing the input stream. Media playback device212 can be equipped with tuners, decoders, and other hardware and/orsoftware such that media playback device 212 can access media contentthat is broadcast by content source 220. Additionally or alternatively,media playback device 212 can be equipped with network adapters,decoders, and other hardware and/or software such that media playbackdevice 212 can access media content that is distributed through a widearea network (e.g., the internet).

Media playback device 212 can also include a display or other userinterface configured to display identifying information corresponding tomedia content being provided on one or more respective channels. Thedisplay may be a flat-panel screen, a plasma screen, a light emittingdiode (LED) screen, or a liquid crystal display (LCD).

In line with the discussion above, while media playback device 212 isplaying back content received on a first channel, media playback device212 can send a preview request to preview server 230. The previewrequest can identify one or more channels that are different from thechannel. By way of example, media playback device 212 can be playingback audio content received on a given radio station, and send a previewrequest that identifies one or more other radio stations. As anotherexample, media playback device 212 can be playing back video contentreceived on a given channel, and send a preview request that identifiesone or more other channels.

In some instances, the preview request can include a station identifierof a second channel. The station identifier can be a call sign of aradio station or a television station, for instance. Additionally oralternatively, the preview request can include a frequency of a secondchannel and a geographic location of media playback device 212.

Media playback device 212 can periodically transmit the preview requestto preview server 230. For instance, media playback device 212 can sendthe preview request every five or ten seconds, or every minute.

Preview server 230 can maintain a database that maps a plurality ofchannels to identifying information corresponding to content beingprovided on the plurality of channels. As an example, preview server 230can maintain a database mapping radio stations to audio content (e.g.songs or shows) currently being broadcast by the radio stations. Asanother example, preview server 230 can maintain a database mappingtelevision stations to video content currently being broadcast by thetelevision stations. As described more fully below, preview server 230can update the database using data that is received from broadcastmonitoring server(s) 240, station identification system 250, and mediaidentification system 260.

Broadcast monitoring server(s) 240 can provide to preview server 230data related to content that is being provided on the plurality ofchannels. For example, broadcast monitoring server(s) 240 canperiodically or upon request provide to preview server 230 a list ofchannels and corresponding content that is being provided on thosechannels. In some examples, broadcast monitoring server(s) 240 canidentify content that is being provided on the channels using audio orvideo fingerprinting. Additionally or alternatively, broadcastmonitoring server(s) 240 can identify audio content being provided onone or more channels based on data provided by programming software thatradio stations utilize to program which songs are played. In someexamples, broadcast monitoring server(s) 240 can provide to previewserver 230 a media sample that is being provided on a channel.

In the database that preview server 230 maintains, each channel can beassigned a unique identifier for indexing purposes. The uniqueidentifier can be a unique number, for instance. Station identificationsystem 250 can be configured to receive a channel identifier frompreview server 230, determine a unique identifier corresponding to thechannel identifier, and provide the unique identifier to preview server230. Station identification system 250 can convert channel identifiersto unique identifiers using mapping data. For instance, stationidentification system 250 can convert a radio station call sign to aunique identifier using mapping data that maps call signs to uniqueidentifiers. As another example, station identification system 250 canconvert a channel frequency and a geographic location to a uniqueidentifier using mapping data that maps channel frequencies andassociated geographic locations to unique identifiers.

Media identification system 260 can provide to preview server 230identifying information corresponding to content being provided on oneor more second channels. For instance, media identification system 260can maintain a database mapping song titles to identifying information.As another example, media identification system can maintain a databasemapping video titles to identifying information. With this approach,preview server 230 can provide the title of media content being providedon a channel to media identification system 260. Media identificationsystem 260 can then determine identifying information corresponding tothe title of the media content using the database, and provide theidentifying information to preview server 230.

Additionally or alternatively, preview server 230 can provide a mediasample of content being provided on a channel to media identificationsystem 260. With this approach, media identification system 260 canidentify the content from the media sample using fingerprinting, anddetermine identifying information corresponding to the identifiedcontent.

The identifying information that media identification system provides topreview server 230 can take various forms. For example, the identifyinginformation can include a media unique identifier (e.g., a track uniqueidentifier (TUI). For audio content, the identifying information caninclude a track title, album title, and artist name. Additionally oralternatively, the identifying information can include an album image(e.g., cover art) or artist image. The identifying information can alsoinclude a program identifier that identifies an audio program.Similarly, for video content, the identifying information can include atitle and a program identifier that identifies a video program. In someinstances, the content being provided on one of the second channels caninclude a sporting event, and the identifying information can includetime and score information for the sporting event.

After receiving the preview request, preview server 230 can query thedatabase to correlate one or more channels identified in the previewrequest (or related to a channel identified in the preview request) toidentifying information corresponding to content being provided on theone or more channels. Preview server 230 can then send a response to thepreview request to media playback device 212. The response can includeidentifying information corresponding to content being provided on theone or more channels identified in the preview request.

After receiving the response, media playback device 212 can provide atleast a portion of the identifying information for display. Mediaplayback device 212 can provide for display identifying informationcorresponding to content being provided on one or more second channelswhile the media playback device is playing back content that is receivedon a first channel.

Additionally or alternatively, media playback device 212 can provide atleast a portion of the identifying information to another device fordisplay. For instance, media playback device 212 can provide a portionof the identifying information to another component of vehicle 210 fordisplay.

Network 270 may be any network that enables communication betweendevices, such as a wired network and/or a wireless network (e.g., amobile network).

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating components of mediaplayback device 212, preview server 230, broadcast monitoring server(s)240, station identification system 250, and media identification system260. As shown in FIG. 3 , media playback device 212 includes a requestgenerator 214, a local database 216, and a user interface 218, allconfigured to communicate with each other (e.g., via a bus, sharedmemory, or switch). Further, preview server 230 includes a previewgenerator 232 and a mapping database 234, configured to communicate witheach other. Still further, station identification system 250 includes anindex module 252, and media identification system 260 includes anidentification module 262. Still further, broadcast monitoring server(s)240 includes a broadcast monitoring server 240 a, a broadcast monitoringserver 240 b, and a broadcast monitoring server 240 c.

One or more of the components depicted in FIG. 3 can be implementedusing hardware (e.g., a processor of a machine, a field-programmablegate array (FPGA), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC),or a combination of hardware and software. Moreover, any two or more ofthe components depicted in FIG. 3 can be combined into a singlecomponent, and the function described herein for a single component canbe subdivided among multiple components.

In line with the discussion above, broadcast monitoring servers 240 a,240 b, and 240 c can provide data related to content being provided onvarious channels to preview server 230. More particularly, as shown inFIG. 3 , broadcast monitoring server 240 a can provide data in the formof text and station identifier pairings for multiple channels. Forinstance, for each pairing, the text can include a song title and artistas well as a channel identifier for a channel on which the song is beingprovided. Alternatively, for each pairing, the text can include a videotitle as a well as a channel on which the video is being provided.

Broadcast monitoring server 240 a can determine the pairings using audioand/or video fingerprinting. Fingerprinting can involve obtaining aquery fingerprint from a sample of media content, comparing the queryfingerprint to known reference fingerprints, and determining that thequery fingerprint matches at least one known reference fingerprint.Determining that the query fingerprint matches at least one knownfingerprint can involve determining that a similarity between the queryfingerprint and at least one of the known reference fingerprintssatisfies a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold can beassociated with a Tanimoto distance measurement, a Manhattan distancemeasurement, or other distance measurements. Broadcast monitoring server240 a can also use other matching techniques, such as Euclidian, Cosine,KL-Divergence, and/or Itakura matching techniques, to match the queryfingerprint to at least one known reference fingerprint.

Broadcast monitoring server 240 b can provide data in the form of mediasample and station identifier pairings for one or more channels. Forexample, for one or more channels, broadcast monitoring server 240 b maypublish media samples of content that is being provided on therespective channels along with station identifiers for the respectivechannels. Each sample can include multiple frames of audio content ormultiple frames of video content.

Broadcast monitoring server 240 c can provide data in the form of textand/or media sample and station identifier pairings. In one example,broadcast monitoring server 240 c can identify audio content beingprovided on one or more channels based on data provided by programmingsoftware that radio stations utilize to program which songs are played.After a radio station begins playing a song, the programming softwarecan publish data regarding the song. Broadcast monitoring server 240 ccan access the published data to determine the song. The published datacan include text and/or a media sample for each of one or more channels.

Data received by preview server 230 from broadcast monitoring servers240 a, 240 b, and 240 c can be used to populate mapping database 235. Insome examples, populating mapping database 234 using data obtained frommultiple different broadcast monitoring servers can allow preview server230 to establish a robust database that maps channels to content. Forinstance, preview server 230 can retrieve a first set of data for afirst set of channels from broadcast monitoring server 240 a, andpreview server 230 can retrieve a second set of data for a second set ofchannels form broadcast monitoring server 240 b, with the second set ofchannels including some channels that are not included in the first setof channels.

Upon receiving text and/or media sample and station identifier pairingsfor one or more channels, preview server 230 can communicate with mediaidentification system 260 to determine identifying information for thecontent being provided on the channels represented within the pairings.More particularly, for each of one or more channels represented by thepairings, preview server 230 can send to identification module 262 ofmedia identification system 260 the text or media sample correspondingto the channel. Identification module 262 can then process the text ormedia sample for each channel, and determine identifying informationcorresponding to the text or media sample. For instance, identificationmodule 262 can match received text to an item of media contentrepresented in a database of media identification system 260, anddetermine a media unique identifier (e.g., a track unique identifier)corresponding to the item of media content. Alternatively,identification module 262 can identify an item of media content thatincludes a received media sample using audio or video fingerprinting,and determine a media unique identifier corresponding to the item ofmedia content.

After identifying an item of media content corresponding to text and/ora media sample, identification module 262 can provide the media uniqueidentifier for the item of media content to preview server for storagein mapping database 234 of preview server 230. Instead of or in additionto the media unique identifier, identification module 262 can provideother identifying information associated with an item of media contentto preview server 230. By way of example, for audio content, theidentifying information can include a track title, album title, andartist name. Additionally or alternatively, the identifying informationcan include an album image (e.g., cover art) or artist image. Theidentifying information can also include a program identifier thatidentifies an audio program. Similarly, for video content, theidentifying information can include a title and a program identifierthat identifies a video program. In some instances, the content beingprovided on one of the second channels can include a sporting event, andthe identifying information can include time and score information forthe sporting event.

Upon receiving text and/or media sample pairings for one or morechannels, preview server 230 can also communicate with stationidentification system 250 to determine unique identifiers for thechannels represented within the pairings. More particularly, for each ofone or more channels represented by the pairings, preview server 230 cansend to index module 252 of station identification system 262 a channelidentifier of the channel. Index module 252 can then use mapping data toconvert the channel identifier to a unique identifier, and provide theunique identifier to preview server 230. Preview server 230 can then usethe unique identifier to store identifying information for the channelin mapping database 234.

The identifying information stored in mapping database 234 for eachchannel may be updated when broadcast monitoring servers 240 a, 240 b,and 240 c provide new data to preview server 230. In some instances, oneor more of broadcast monitoring servers 240 a, 240 b, and 240 c mayperiodically push data to preview server 230. Alternatively, previewserver 230 can periodically pull data from one or more of broadcastmonitoring servers 240 a, 240 b, and 240 c.

While media playback device 212 is playing back content received on afirst channel, request generator 214 of media playback device 210 cangenerate a preview request and provide the preview request to previewserver 230. The preview request can identify one or more second channelsthat are different from the first channel. In some examples, the previewrequest can include a station identifier for each of the one or moresecond channels. The station identifier(s) can be call signs, forinstance. Additionally or alternatively, the preview request can includea frequency of a second channel and a geographic location of the mediaplayback device 212.

Request generator 214 can select the second channel(s) identified in thepreview request in various ways. As one example, request generator 214can select the second channels of the preview request based on acharacteristic of the first channel. For instance, based on the firstchannel being associated with a first genre (e.g., blues, jazz, country,etc.), request generator 214 can select channels that are alsoassociated with the first genre. As another example, request generator214 can select the channels of the preview request based on channelsthat are programmed as presets of media playback device 212. As stillanother example, request generator 214 can select as the second channelsone or more other channels that are located within a frequency range orchannel range of the first channel. For instance, request generator 214can select the next two adjacent channels that are above the firstchannel and the next two adjacent channels that are below the firstchannel. If the first channel is channel 124, request generator 214could select channels 122, 123, 125, and 126. Or if the first channel isassigned to a frequency of 98.1 megahertz (MHz), request generator 214could select second channels assigned to frequencies of 96.9 MHz, 97.3MHz, 98.9 MHz, and 99.5 MHz based on those channels being the channelsthat are adjacent to the first channel in a particular geographic area.

Upon receiving the preview request, preview generator 232 of previewserver 230 can retrieve identifying information corresponding to contentbeing provided on one or more channels identified in the previewrequest, and provide the identifying information to media playbackdevice 212 in an output response. To facilitate this retrieval, previewgenerator 232 can send one or more channel identifiers for channelslisted in the preview request to station identification system 250.Index module 252 of station identification system 250 can then respondto preview generator 232 with unique identifiers for the channels.

Further, preview generator 232 can then use the unique identifiers toretrieve identifying information for the channels from mapping database234. After obtaining the identifying information, preview generator 232can generate an output response that includes identifying informationfor the channels, and provide the output response to media playbackdevice 212. The output response can be in the form of text data, such asa listing of channels and corresponding identifying information. Theidentifying information can include one or more links to image data,such as a link to album art or a link to an image of a song artist or animage of a program host.

In some examples, preview generator 232 might not be able to retrieveidentifying information for a channel identified in the preview request.Upon determining that identifying information for a channel isunavailable, the preview generator 232 can add the channel to a list orincrement a count associated with the channel. This data regarding howoften identifying information for a channel is requested but unavailablecan be stored by preview server 230 and, upon request, can be providedto one of broadcast monitoring servers 240 a, 240 b, or 240 c. Thebroadcast monitoring server that receives the data can then enhancetheir service, by adding the station to a list of stations that aremonitored by the broadcast monitoring server.

Upon receiving the output response, media playback device 212 can storethe identifying information for the channels in local database 216 ofmedia playback device 212. Media playback device 212 can display aportion of the identifying information using user interface 218. Forexample, media playback device 212 can display respective identifyinginformation for multiple channels in respective user interface elements(e.g., respective tiles) corresponding to each channel of the multiplechannels. The identifying information can be displayed in a now-playingguide that is accessible via user interface 218. In some instances, theidentifying information can be displayed adjacent to identifyinginformation for the first channel. Alternatively, when the identifyinginformation is displayed, identifying information for the first channelmight not be visible within user interface 218.

In some instances, the preview request can identify the first channel onwhich media playback device 212 is playing back content rather thanidentifying one or more second channels that are different from thefirst channel. With this approach, preview generator 232 can select oneor more second channels based on the first channel, determineidentifying information corresponding to content being provided on theone or more second channels, and send the identifying information tomedia playback device 212 within an output response. For example,preview server 230 can determine that the first channel is associatedwith a first genre, and select one or more second channels that are alsoassociated with the second genre. Alternatively, preview server 230 candetermine that the first channel is associated with a first geographiclocation (e.g., a first city), and select one or more second channelsthat are popular in the first city.

Further, in some instances, upon receiving a preview request, previewgenerator 232 can also select an advertisement, and send theadvertisement to media playback device 212 within the output response.Media playback device 212 can then provide the advertisement for displaywhen displaying identifying information that is included within theoutput response. An owner of an item of media content or a third partymay pay a fee to associate an advertisement with the item. With thisarrangement, preview generator 232 can determine that an item of mediacontent that is playing on a channel has an associated advertisement andthat identifying information for the item of media content will beprovided to media playback device 212 in an output response. Based onmaking this determination, preview generator 232 can include theadvertisement in the output response, for display in conjunction withthe identifying information.

Other advertisement arrangements are also possible. For instance, athird party may pay a fee to associate an advertisement with aparticular channel or group of channels. Upon determining thatidentifying information for one of the channels is to be included in anoutput response, preview generator 232 can then select the advertisementfor inclusion in the output response.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example display 400 that a media playback device,such as media playback device 212, can provide. As shown in FIG. 4 ,display 400 includes four identification elements 402, 406, 410, and 414corresponding to four respective identifying-information tiles 404, 408,412, 416. Each of the identification elements 402, 406, 410, and 414displays data indicative of a respective channel. The data indicative ofa respective channel can, for example, include a frequency, channelname, channel identifier (e.g., call sign), genre, and/or channel logo.

Further, each of the identifying-information tiles 404, 408, 412, and416 displays identifying information for content being provided on acorresponding channel. In particular, identifying-information tile 404displays identifying information for content being provided on a firstchannel identified by identification element 402,identifying-information tile 408 displays identifying information forcontent being provided on a second channel identified by identificationelement 406, identifying-information tile 412 displays identifyinginformation for content being provided on a third channel identified byidentification element 410, and identifying-information tile 416displays identifying information for content being provided on a fourthchannel identified by identification element 414. Hence, display 400 mayallow a user of the media playback device to visually browse what'splaying across multiple channels, thereby simplifying media contentsearch and discovery.

For the display 400, the fourth channel is the currently selectedchannel. In other words, the media playback device displaysidentification elements 402, 406, 410, and 414 andidentifying-information tiles 404, 408, 412, and 416 while the mediaplayback device is playing back content that is received on the fourthchannel. To notify a user that media playback device is playing backcontent that is received on the fourth channel, data indicative of thefourth channel and identifying information for the content beingprovided on the fourth channel is displayed in a current-channel element418.

Further, each identification element 402, 406, 410, and 414 and/or eachidentifying-information tile 404, 408, 412, and 416 may be selectable bya user of the media playback device. For instance, a user can selectidentification element 402 or identifying-information tile 404 to causethe media playback device to switch from the fourth channel tune to thefirst channel.

In other examples, the media playback device might be playing backcontent that is received on a fifth channel that is different from eachof the first channel, second channel, third channel, and fourth channel.With this approach, data indicative of the fifth channel and identifyinginformation for the content being provided on the fifth channel can bedisplayed in the current-channel element 418 (not shown).

As further shown in FIG. 4 , display 400 can optionally include anadvertisement 420. The advertisement may include text and/or an image,for instance. The advertisement may have been provided to the mediaplayback device along with the identifying information that is beingdisplayed in the identifying-information tiles 404, 408, 412, and 416.

III. Example Operations

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an example method 500. Method 500 can becarried out by a media playback device, such as media playback device212 or more generally, by a computing system. At block 502, method 500includes while a media playback device of a vehicle is playing backcontent received on a first channel, sending, by the media playbackdevice to a server, a preview request. The preview request identifies asecond channel that is different from the first channel. At block 504,method 500 includes receiving, by the media playback device from theserver, a response to the preview request. The response includesidentifying information corresponding to content being provided on thesecond channel. And at block 506, method 500 includes while the mediaplayback device is playing back the content received on the firstchannel, providing, by the media playback device for display, at least aportion of the identifying information corresponding to content beingprovided on the second channel.

IV. Example Variations

Although some of the acts and/or functions described in this disclosurehave been described as being performed by a particular entity, the actsand/or functions can be performed by any entity, such as those entitiesdescribed in this disclosure. Further, although the acts and/orfunctions have been recited in a particular order, the acts and/orfunctions need not be performed in the order recited. However, in someinstances, it can be desired to perform the acts and/or functions in theorder recited. Further, each of the acts and/or functions can beperformed responsive to one or more of the other acts and/or functions.Also, not all of the acts and/or functions need to be performed toachieve one or more of the benefits provided by this disclosure, andtherefore not all of the acts and/or functions are required.

Although certain variations have been discussed in connection with oneor more examples of this disclosure, these variations can also beapplied to all of the other examples of this disclosure as well.

Although select examples of this disclosure have been described,alterations and permutations of these examples will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Other changes, substitutions, and/oralterations are also possible without departing from the invention inits broader aspects as set forth in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: while a media playbackdevice of a vehicle is playing back content broadcast by a firstbroadcast station on a first channel: determining, by the media playbackdevice, that the first channel is associated with a first genre,determining, by the media playback device, that a second channel isassociated with the first genre and has a frequency within a thresholdfrequency range from the first channel, in response to determining thatthe first channel is associated with the first genre, selecting, by themedia playback device, from a plurality of channels different from thefirst channel, the second channel based on the second channel beingassociated with the first genre of the first channel and the secondchannel having a frequency within the threshold frequency range from thefirst channel, and in response to selecting the second channel based onthe second channel being associated with the first genre of the firstchannel, sending, by the media playback device to a server, a previewrequest identifying a call sign of a second broadcast station thatbroadcasts content on the second channel; receiving, by the mediaplayback device from the server, a response to the preview request,wherein the response includes identifying information corresponding tocontent being broadcast on the second channel; and while the mediaplayback device is playing back the content broadcast on the firstchannel, providing, by the media playback device for display, at least aportion of the identifying information corresponding to content beingbroadcast on the second channel.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thecontent broadcast on the first channel is audio content.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the content broadcast on the first channel is videocontent.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the preview request comprisesa frequency of the second channel and a geographic location of the mediaplayback device.
 5. The method of claim 1: wherein the preview requestidentifies a set of second channels that includes the second channel,and wherein the response includes respective identifying informationcorresponding to respective content being broadcast on each channel ofthe set of second channels.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprisingselecting channels of the set of second channels based on the channelsbeing programmed as presets of the media playback device.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein the identifying information corresponding to thecontent being broadcast on the second channel comprises a media uniqueidentifier.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifyinginformation corresponding to the content being broadcast on the secondchannel comprises a track title, album title, and artist name.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the identifying information corresponding tothe content being broadcast on the second channel comprises a programidentifier.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifyinginformation corresponding to the content being broadcast on the secondchannel comprises a link to an image.
 11. The method of claim 1, whereinproviding the at least a portion of the identifying information fordisplay comprises providing the at least a portion of the identifyinginformation for display on a user interface of the media playbackdevice.
 12. The method of claim 1: wherein the server maintains adatabase mapping a plurality of channels to identifying informationcorresponding to content being broadcast on the plurality of channels,and wherein the identifying information corresponding to the contentbeing broadcast on the second channel is retrieved from the database.13. The method of claim 1: wherein the response includes anadvertisement, and wherein the method further comprises providing, bythe media playback device for display, the advertisement.
 14. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: determining, by the media playbackdevice, that the second channel has a channel indicator within athreshold channel indicator range from the first channel, whereinselecting the second channel is further based on the second channelhaving a channel indicator within the threshold channel indicator rangefrom the first channel.
 15. A non-transitory computer-readable mediumhaving stored thereon program instructions that upon execution by aprocessor, cause performance of a set of acts comprising: while a mediaplayback device of a vehicle is playing back content broadcast by afirst broadcast station on a first channel: determining that the firstchannel is associated with a first genre, determining that a secondchannel is associated with the first genre and has a frequency within athreshold frequency range from the first channel, in response todetermining that the first channel is associated with the first genre,selecting, from a plurality of channels different from the firstchannel, the second channel based on the second channel being associatedwith the first genre of the first channel and the second channel havinga frequency within the threshold frequency range from the first channel,and in response to selecting the second channel based on the secondchannel being associated with the first genre of the first channel,sending, to a server, a preview request identifying a call sign of asecond broadcast station that broadcasts content on the second channel;receiving, from the server, a response to the preview request, whereinthe response includes identifying information corresponding to contentbeing broadcast on the second channel; and while the media playbackdevice is playing back the content broadcast on the first channel,providing for display at least a portion of the identifying informationcorresponding to content being broadcast on the second channel.
 16. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the previewrequest comprises a frequency of the second channel and a geographiclocation of the media playback device.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15: wherein the preview requestidentifies a set of second channels that includes the second channel,wherein the response includes respective identifying informationcorresponding to respective content being broadcast on each channel ofthe set of second channels, and wherein the set of acts furthercomprises selecting channels of the second set of channels based on thechannels being programmed as presets of the media playback device.
 18. Acomputing system configured for performing a set of acts comprising:while a media playback device of a vehicle is playing back contentbroadcast by a first broadcast station on a first channel: determiningthat the first channel is associated with a first genre, determiningthat a second channel is associated with the first genre and has afrequency within a threshold frequency range from the first channel, inresponse to determining that the first channel is associated with thefirst genre, selecting, from a plurality of channels different from thefirst channel, the second channel based on the second channel beingassociated with the first genre of the first channel and the secondchannel having a frequency within the threshold frequency range from thefirst channel, and in response to selecting the second channel based onthe second channel being associated with the first genre of the firstchannel, sending, to a server, a preview request identifying a call signof a second broadcast station that broadcasts content on the secondchannel; receiving, from the server, a response to the preview request,wherein the response includes identifying information corresponding tocontent being broadcast on the second channel; and while the mediaplayback device is playing back the content broadcast on the firstchannel, providing for display at least a portion of the identifyinginformation corresponding to content being broadcast on the secondchannel.
 19. The computing system of claim 18: wherein the contentbroadcast on the first channel is audio content, and wherein the previewrequest comprises a frequency of the second channel and a geographiclocation of the media playback device.